Man United role at top of my managerial career: Mourinho

Manchester, Aug 19 (IANS) Newly-appointed Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes he is at the “top of his career” at the English Premier League club, insisting he can keep going as head coach for another 15 years.

The 53-year-old will take charge of his first competitive game at United’s home ground as the manager on Saturday against Southampton, having won his opening two competitive games against Leicester City in the Community Shield and Bournemouth in the Premier League opener.

Mourinho’s last 12 months have been topsy-turvy, going into the last season as Ethe PL champions with Chelsea before getting sacked in December, but the Portuguese said he was upbeat about his new job.

“I have been in some of the biggest clubs in the world. This is like the top of my career, but it comes in the early stage of my career. Because as a manager I am really young, and I think I have the best years of my career to come up,” Mourinho was quoted as saying by Sky Sports on Thursday.

“I was not joking when I say 15 more years as a manager. 53 plus 15 is 68, so I would say 14, 15, 16 more years, but I don’t see myself going home before 70.”

“Even as an opponent I could create a good relationship with the fans, I never had problems, and I have not always behaved the best way. The first time I was running to celebrate a goal at touchline,” the former Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid manager said.

“I always tried to be nice and have a relationship with the fans at United. It is the first time when I can ask for their support. I have always played against them, and this time they are on my side.”